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David Briley sworn in as Metro Nashville's eighth mayor

David Briley, Nashville's vice mayor for the past two and a half years, was sworn in as Metro government's eighth mayor Tuesday evening, replacing Megan Barry who resigned in disgrace earlier in the day.

David Briley sworn in as Metro Nashville's eighth mayor

David Briley was sworn in as Nashville mayor on March 6
Ayrika Whitney/USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee

David Briley is sworn in by Judge Angelita Dalton as Nashville mayor while his wife Jodie Bell and son Sam look on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 in the David Scobey Council Chamber at the Metropolitan Courthouse after the resignation of Megan Barry earlier in the day.(Photo: George Walker IV / The Tennessea)

David Briley, Nashville's vice mayor for the past two and a half years, was sworn in as Metro government's eighth mayor Tuesday evening, replacing Megan Barry who resigned in disgrace earlier in the day.

In a scene like nothing before in city history, Briley took an oath of office at the council's chambers, becoming the first Metro Nashville vice mayor ever to replace a mayor in the middle of a term.

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Nashville City Council member Decosta Hastings, right, shakes hands with Mayor David Briley after Briley was sworn in Tuesday, March 6, 2018 in the David Scobey Council Chamber at the Metropolitan Courthouse after the resignation of Megan Barry earlier in the day.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

David Briley is sworn in by Judge Angelita Dalton as Nashville mayor while his wife Jodie Bell and son Sam look on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 in the David Scobey Council Chamber at the Metropolitan Courthouse after the resignation of Megan Barry earlier in the day.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Nashville Mayor David Briley speaks to the media after being sworn in Tuesday, March 6, 2018 in the at the Metropolitan Courthouse after the resignation of Megan Barry earlier in the day.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Vice Mayor Sheri Weiner speaks to the media after her swearing-in Tuesday, March 6, 2018, at the Metro Courthouse after the resignation of Megan Barry as mayor earlier in the day.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Nashville Mayor David Briley speaks to the media after being sworn in Tuesday, March 6, 2018 in the at the Metropolitan Courthouse after the resignation of Megan Barry earlier in the day.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Nashville Mayor David Briley speaks to the media after being sworn in Tuesday, March 6, 2018 in the at the Metropolitan Courthouse after the resignation of Megan Barry earlier in the day.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Nashville Mayor David Briley speaks to the media after being sworn in Tuesday, March 6, 2018 in the at the Metropolitan Courthouse after the resignation of Megan Barry earlier in the day.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

David McGill greets his nephew David Briley after he was sworn in as Nashville mayor Tuesday, March 6, 2018 in the David Scobey Council Chamber at the Metropolitan Courthouse following the resignation of Megan Barry earlier in the day.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Nashville Mayor David Briley speaks after being sworn in Tuesday, March 6, 2018 in the at the Metropolitan Courthouse after the resignation of Megan Barry earlier in the day.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Nashville Legal Director John Cooper speaks to the media following the swearing-in of Mayor David Briley Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at the Metropolitan Courthouse following the resignation of Megan Barry earlier in the day.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Nashville Mayor David Briley speaks after being sworn in Tuesday, March 6, 2018 in the at the Metropolitan Courthouse after the resignation of Megan Barry earlier in the day.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Mayor David Briley speaks following his swearing in as Nashville mayor Tuesday, March 6, 2018 in the David Scobey Council Chamber at the Metropolitan Courthouse after the resignation of Megan Barry earlier in the day.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Former Mayor Bill Purcell greets Mayor David Briley after his swearing in as Nashville mayor Tuesday, March 6, 2018 in the David Scobey Council Chamber at the Metropolitan Courthouse following the resignation of Megan Barry earlier in the day.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Nashville Mayor David Briley speaks after being sworn in Tuesday, March 6, 2018 in the at the Metropolitan Courthouse after the resignation of Megan Barry earlier in the day.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Nashville Mayor David Briley addresses the city council after being sworn in as mayor Tuesday, March 6, 2018 in the David Scobey Council Chamber at the Metropolitan Courthouse after the resignation of Megan Barry earlier in the day.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Nashville Mayor David Briley speaks to the city council after being sworn in as Nashville mayor Tuesday, March 6, 2018 p.m. in the David Scobey Council Chamber at the Metropolitan Courthouse after the resignation of Megan Barry earlier in the day.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Vice Mayor Sheri Weiner speaks after being sworn in Tuesday, March 6, 2018, in the David Scobey Council Chamber at the Metropolitan Courthouse after the resignation of Megan Barry earlier in the day.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Jodie Bell hugs her husband David Briley after he is sworn in as Nashville's new mayor as their son Sam looks on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 in the David Scobey Council Chamber at the Metropolitan Courthouse after the resignation of Megan Barry earlier in the day.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

David Briley is sworn in as Nashville mayor Tuesday, March 6, 2018 in the David Scobey Council Chamber at the Metropolitan Courthouse after the resignation of Megan Barry earlier in the day.
George Walker IV / The Tennessea

David Briley is sworn in by Judge Angelita Dalton as Nashville mayor while his wife Jodie Bell and son Sam look on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 in the David Scobey Council Chamber at the Metropolitan Courthouse after the resignation of Megan Barry earlier in the day.
George Walker IV / The Tennessea

David Briley stands for the Pledge of Allegiance before his swearing-in as Nashville mayor Tuesday, March 6, 2018 p.m. in the David Scobey Council Chamber at the Metropolitan Courthouse after the resignation of Megan Barry earlier in the day.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

David Briley stands for the invocation before his swearing-in as Nashville mayor Tuesday, March 6, 2018 in the David Scobey Council Chamber at the Metropolitan Courthouse after the resignation of Megan Barry earlier in the day.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

David Briley awaits his swearing-in as Nashville mayor Tuesday, March 6, 2018 in the David Scobey Council Chamber at the Metropolitan Courthouse after the resignation of Megan Barry earlier in the day.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Former Mayor Bill Purcell arrives for the swearing-in of David Briley as Nashville mayor Tuesday, March 6, 2018 in the David Scobey Council Chamber at the Metropolitan Courthouse after the resignation of Megan Barry earlier in the day.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Former Mayor Bill Purcell arrives for the swearing-in of David Briley as Nashville mayor Tuesday, March 6, 2018 in the David Scobey Council Chamber at the Metropolitan Courthouse after the resignation of Megan Barry earlier in the day.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

"This day presents a unique challenge for me and my family, but also for this council and for everybody who works for Metro government," Briley said.

"My mettle is going to be tested but I'm convinced that the strong spirit of this city, which inspires us to accomplish so much, will prevail. Let me end by saying, I will work my heart out to meet this challenge."

Davidson County Criminal Court Judge Angelita Blackshear Dalton presided over the swearing-in ceremony. The Rev. Sonnye Dixon gave an invocation.

It was watched by a standing-room only crowd that included most of the Metro Council, Nashville's state lawmakers, former Mayor Bill Purcell, and dozens of longtime city observers and lobbyists. Briley, his hand raised, stood next to his family: wife Jodie Bell, son Sam Briley, mother Jeannine Briley, and brother Rob Briley, a former Democratic state representative,

Councilwoman Sheri Weiner, the council's speaker pro tempore, was sworn in as vice mayor to replace Briley at the same ceremony.

Councilman David Briley, here Oct. 14, 2005, says the city can build a broadband network to serve nearly all of Davidson County for the $300 million it took to build the stadium (visible from his downtown office window) and reap greater rewards than the stadium did.
Jae S. Lee/ The Tennessean

Randy Rayburn, left, co-chair of the Music City Center Committee; Councilman David Briley; and Ralph Schulz, vice chairman of the committee, chat after the decision for a new convention center Feb. 17, 2006, outside the BellSouth auditorium.
Dipti Vaidya / The Tennessean

Mayoral candidates get a cue that a 30-second limit is up during a forum at Nashville State Community College on July 9, 2007. Looking on are David Briley, left, Buck Dozier, moderator Don Hildebrand, Howard Gentry, Bob Clement and Karl Dean.
John Partipilo / The Tennessean

Vice Mayor David Briley listens to council members during a meeting at City Hall on June 20, 2017, as they get ready to vote on an ordinance regarding civil immigration laws.
Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Vice Mayor David Briley listens to council members speak before a vote on a Major League Soccer stadium plan during a Metro Council meeting at the Metro Courthouse on Nov. 7, 2017.
Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

On Tuesday morning, Barry resigned as part of a plea agreement with Davidson County District Attorney Glenn Funk amid a state criminal investigation of her nearly two-year affair with her former police bodyguard, now-retired Sgt. Rob Forrest.

She was booked and sentenced to three years of probation after pleading guilty in court to a felony theft related to the affair. She paid $11,000 back to the city as part of the deal.

'A very disappointing day for Nashville,' new mayor says

Briley, who is empowered with all duties prescribed to the mayor in the Metro Charter, took questions from reporters for nearly 30 minutes after his swearing-in. He said Barry, who he called a friend, informed him of her decision to resign by phone around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.

"Today is obviously a very disappointing day for Nashville, and it's really tough," Briley said. "The public trust has been damaged and we've all been distracted from very important work that our city needs to undertake."

"It's important to put today in perspective," he later added. "Nashville has never been defined by a single person. Every step that we have made forward, all the progress that we have made here, has been the result of the efforts of the many."

Briley, a lawyer professionally, withdrew Tuesday as a partner at Bone McAllester Norton.

Briley touts transit referendum, plans series of town hall meetings

The new mayor said he's planning a series of town hall meetings in the coming weeks. He pointed to transit solutions, neighborhoods, crime prevention, public health, and bringing jobs and investment to every community as top priorities.

Foremost, he singled out passage of Nashville's May 1 referendum on a $5.4 billion transit plan — a project proposed by Barry — as his No. 1 goal in the coming weeks.

Briley plans to report to the mayor's office Wednesday.

Asked about possible staff changes, he said he would be evaluating personnel in the coming days but has made no decisions.

Briley said he will drive himself to and from work, a break from his predecessor whose constant security detail was scrutinized after the affair became public. He said that if he does travel for city business — which he says mayors need to do — he will travel without a security detail.

Briley noncommittal on running for mayor in August

An election is set for August to replace Barry full-time. Although Briley is considered a prime candidate, he did not say whether he will run.

"There's plenty of days for politics, but this ain't one of them," he said.

Briley, a liberal Democrat and former two-term at-large councilman who resides in the Salemtown neighborhood near downtown, is the grandson of Beverly Briley, the first mayor of Nashville's consolidated Metro government, elected in 1963.

He's taken an unorthodox path to make it to the office once occupied by his grandfather.

Briley finished fifth in Nashville 2007 mayor's race

Eleven years ago, Briley finished a disappointing fifth in the 2007 Nashville mayor's race, barely mustering 10 percent of the vote and coming last among serious contenders in an election later won by Karl Dean. But in a political comeback, Briley beat At-large Metro Councilman Tim Garrett in the 2015 race for vice mayor.

Nashville Mayor Megan Barry is released from booking after resigning as mayor Tuesday, March 6, 2018 in Nashville, Tenn. Earlier, Barry pleaded guilty to felony theft of property over $10,000 related to her affair with former police bodyguard Sgt. Rob Forrest
Tuesday March 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn
Larry McCormack / The Tennesse

A booking photograph for Megan Barry, the former Nashville mayor who resigned in March 2018 amid an affair scandal and pleaded guilty to a $10,000 felony theft tied to the affair.
Metro Nashville Police Department

Nashville Mayor Megan Barry is released from booking after resigning as Mayor Tuesday, March 6, 2018 in Nashville, Tenn. Earlier, Barry pleaded guilty to felony theft of property over $10,000 related to her affair with former police bodyguard Sgt. Rob Forrest
Tuesday March 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn
Larry McCormack / The Tennesse

Nashville Mayor Megan Barry closes her eyes while listening to the charges to theft of property over $10,000 related to her affair with former police bodyguard Sgt. Rob Forrest at the Justice A. A. Birch Building in Nashville, Tenn. on Tuesday, March 6, 2018.
Shelley Mays / The Tennessean

Nashville Mayor Megan Barry smiles at Judge Monte D. Watkins after pleading guilty to theft of property over $10,000 related to her affair with former police bodyguard Sgt. Rob Forrest at the Justice A. A. Birch Building in Nashville on Tuesday, March 6, 2018.
Shelley Mays / The Tennessean

Nashville Mayor Megan Barry leaves a press conference where she announced her resignation Tuesday, March 6, 2018 in Nashville, Tenn. Earlier, Barry pleaded guilty to felony theft of property over $10,000 related to her affair with former police bodyguard Sgt. Rob Forrest.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Former Davidson County Clerk John Arriola comments to the media about the resignation of Mayor Megan Barry at the Metro Courthouse on Tuesday, March 6, 2018, in Nashville.
Larry McCormack / The Tennessean

Nashville Mayor Megan Barry listens to Judge Monte Walkins discusses her charges before she pleaded guilty Tuesday, March 6, 2018 to felony theft of property over $10,000 related to her affair with former police bodyguard Sgt. Rob Forrest in court at the Justice A. A. Birch Building in Nashville, Tenn.
Shelley Mays / The Tennessean

During his unsuccessful 2007 mayoral run, Briley struggled on fundraising for most of the race in a campaign that also featured U.S. Rep. Bob Clement, then-Vice Mayor Howard Gentry, and former At-large Councilman Buck Dozier.Briley sought to appeal to the city's progressives, but many of those voters ultimately went to Dean.